Division of Sport Fish |
Alaska Department of Fish and Game |
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Advisory Announcement |
CONTACT: Brendan Scanlon |
(Fairbanks) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is closing all fresh waters from Bald Head to Point Romanof to sport fishing for king salmon effective 12:01 a.m. June 23, 2022. This closure includes, but is not limited to, the Unalakleet, Shaktoolik, Koyuk, Ungalik, Inglutalik, and Golsovia River drainages. In addition, only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure may be used in these drainages. These temporary regulations will remain in effect through August 15, 2022, or until there are indications of a harvestable surplus above escapement objectives. Escapements are indexed by a counting tower on the North River, a tributary of the Unalakleet River, and a floating weir which is located on the mainstem Unalakleet River.
The 2022 preseason outlook for the Unalakleet River drainage king salmon run is low, and the number of returning king salmon may be insufficient to meet escapement objectives and provide moderate harvestable surplus for both the subsistence and sport fisheries. According to the Subdistricts 5 and 6 of the Norton Sound District and the Unalakleet River King Salmon Management Plan (5AAC 04.395), when the inriver subsistence fishery is closed to the retention of king salmon, sport fishing for king salmon will be closed. The Shaktoolik, Koyuk, Ungalik, Inglutalik, and Golsovia River drainages are closed as well because the department does not have reliable information for these stocks. However, these stocks trend with the Unalakleet River stock and are managed as a unit.
The department will continue to evaluate inseason run strength and take appropriate management actions to ensure that escapement requirements are met. If inseason stock assessment information indicates that the king salmon escapement goal in the Unalakleet River will be met, restrictions may be relaxed.
For additional information contact Brendan Scanlon, Northwest and North Slope Area Management Biologist, 907-459-7268.
#22-3308